Hicks to face trial in Deanna Null dismemberment case

Friday

Mar 14, 2008 at 10:25 AMMar 14, 2008 at 12:54 PM

TOBYHANNA — All charges against Charles Hicks, accused in the murder and dismemberment of Deanna Marie Null, have been held over to county court by Magisterial District Judge Anthony Fluegel following a preliminary hearing in Tobyhanna district court on Friday morning.

TOBYHANNA — All charges against Charles Hicks, accused in the murder and dismemberment of Deanna Marie Null, have been held over to county court by Magisterial District Judge Anthony Fluegel following a preliminary hearing in Tobyhanna district court on Friday morning.

Null's dismembered body was found in eight trash bags along Interstates 80 and 380 at the end of January.

Hicks was escorted by state police into the courtroom at 10 a.m. He was wearing blue, jail-issued clothing and was handcuffed and shackled. A heavy police presence kept the media and family members several feet from Hicks. He did not speak when he was peppered with questions by reporters.

The hearing was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. but started around 10:45 a.m. because another hearing was underway in the small courtroom. Everyone entering the building was screened by a portable metal detector.

Among the witnesses who testified was Cindy Skrzypek, deputy coroner for Monroe County. She left the courtroom after testifying for less than 10 minutes.

We'll post updates online today and a full story online and in print Saturday.